Instant Sink Sealer and Methods

ABSTRACT

Embodiments for water tight sink seals and methods of use are disclosed. The sealer material is formed from extruded closed-cell neoprene or other suitable material and has a flat base bearing a layer of pre-applied adhesive. A strip of the sealing material can be applied as a single length to form an instant sink seal once the sink is clamped. The seals and method of using are suitable for top mounted sinks.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of provisional application 62/108,446 filed on Jan. 28, 2015.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The instant invention relates to watertight sealing of top mounted sinks. Top mounted sinks fit in a rough hole cutout from the counter with the flange of the sink positioned above the cutout lip of the counter.

2. Description of Related Art

Water impervious seals have been previously accomplished for top mounting sinks using caulking, resins, or adhesives which require careful application and drying. During drying the sink is not useable, and unsightly excess sealant can be difficult to remove and quite messy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The sink sealing material is formed preferably from a length of closed cell polychloroprene foam having a flat or semi-flat base with a pre-attached pressure sensitive adhesive. A single length can be applied to the bottom of the sink flange. Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Perspective view of sealer

FIG. 2 Cross section of sealer for U-channel type sinks

FIG. 3 View of sealer applied to bottom surface of sink flange

FIG. 4 Seam formed from 45 degree angle cuts

FIG. 5 Cross section of alternative embodiment of sealer suitable for a variety of top-mounted sinks

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments for sink sealing materials and methods are disclosed. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a portion of a roll of sealing material of a first embodiment. The apparatus 10 comprised of a long strand or strip 12 of extruded material has a flat or substantially flat base 14 which is opposite a rounded top 16 and also having two substantially straight sides 18 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Alternatively the cross section may take the form of an ellipse bisected through its minor axis, or parabolic, or other suitable shapes. An adhesive is pre-applied to the base of the sealant strand. Sealing of a top mounted sink can be accomplished by application of the base of the sealer strand to the bottom surface of the sink flange as shown in FIG. 3. The ends of the sealing material are cut at 45 degree angles during installation so that a single seam or seal 20, FIG. 4, formed from the engaged complementary facing surfaces is water tight with only slight applied pressure. After the sealer material is applied to the entire perimeter of the sink flange and the seam is formed from the cut ends, the sink is inserted into the counter cutout hole and then the sink is clamped in place thereby applying pressure to the sealer material and forming a water tight seal. No drying time or cleanup of caulk is required. The sink sealer may be formed from any suitable material, preferably having a closed-cell polymer composition such as closed-cell polychloroprene. Preferred dimensions are shown in FIG. 2.

A second embodiment is useful for sealing top mounting sinks which lack a U-channel on the flange but can also be used for sinks with a U-channel on the flange. Preferred dimensions for features in the cross section in FIG. 5 are listed in Table 1. The preferred dimensions, base length 42, height 44, and width 40 at the junction of the rounded top 16 and the sides 18 are the same for the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 2 and 5. The second embodiment, also formed by extrusion of an elastomer such as polychloroprene, has a flat base 14 and rounded top 16 as in the first embodiment but differs in overall configuration by having grooves or channels 26 resembling notch cuts in each of the sides 18. The grooves or channels result in the material having a lower portion 24 and upper portion 22 with a groove on each side extending along the length of the strand. The cross sectional view shows the grooves bilaterally symmetrical in orientation. The grooves can be formed each having a first surface 28 and a second surface 30. The first surface 28 may be configured such that it is essentially parallel to the base of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 5. The second surface 30 may be configured wherein it intersects the first surface an angle of about 48.2 degrees so that the width of the notch at the periphery of the apparatus is about 0.063 inches (i.e., +/−0.02). The vertical spacing 48 of the groove, 0.0625 inches+/−0.02 inches, is slightly smaller than the actual groove or notch width, if measured along the sides, because the sides are slightly oblique. Other embodiments could be made with parallel sides or alternative configurations. The sealer material can be applied to a U-channel in exactly the same manner as described for the first embodiment. For sealing top mounted sinks lacking a U-channel a lower profile is required. This is accomplished by reducing the height from base to top by removing the upper portion. Removal of the upper portion is readily accomplished simply by tearing by hand. The upper surface of the remaining lower portion is substantially flat and parallel to the base. Because tearing off the upper portion would not be expected to perfectly cleanly separate, the upper surface would not be expected to be perfectly flat and parallel to the base but rather substantially flat.

TABLE 1 Item Preferred Dimensions (inches) Width 40 at junction of rounded 0.1995 +/− 0.030 top and sides Base 42 0.2500 +/− 0.030 Height 44 0.3125 +/− 0.040 Connection width 46 at junction 0.938 of upper and lower portions Height of lower portion 48 0.1250 +/− 0.040 Vertical spacing 50 of grooves 0.0625 +/− 0.020

Other embodiments can be made so that the upper surface of the remaining lower portion is not substantially flat. For example, the grooves could be positioned with their respective first surfaces inclined from the periphery toward the vertical axis, as viewed in cross section, such that following removal of the upper portion, the remaining lower portion would have its upper surface not being substantially parallel to the base. In addition, alternative embodiments may be constructed with dimensions other than the preferred dimensions. No tools are required for installation. After removing the upper portion, the upper portion can be discarded. The lower portion is applied in a essentially the same manner to the flange of the sink as described above, the sealer being used essentially as a gasket between the counter top and bottom of the sink flange at or very close to the edge of the sink flange. 

I claim:
 1. An apparatus to be used for rapid watertight sealing of top mounted sinks comprising, a strand or strip of an elastomeric material having a flat base, a rounded top, substantially straight sides, and two ends, said elastomeric material comprised of closed cell neoprene foam, said strand or strip configured such that it can be received by a U mounting channel in a top mounting sink, wherein said ends of the strip can be cut at an angle forming a single seam that provide a secure seal at the joint where said ends meet when said apparatus is installed.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising, a pair of grooves or notches, each groove or notch extending along the length of each of said sides, said grooves or notches arranged so that a cross section shows bilaterally symmetrical notch cuts on each of the sides of the apparatus thereby dividing the apparatus into upper and lower portions.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising, said grooves or notches configured such that when said upper portion is removed, the surface of the remaining lower portion is substantially parallel to said base.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising, said pair of notches or grooves, said notches or grooves having two straight surfaces, a first surface and a second surface, said first surface intersecting said second surface at an angle of about 48.2 degrees, said first surface oriented parallel to said flat base, thereby producing a notch of about 0.0629 inches+/−0.02 inches wide at its widest distance, said first surface having length of approximately 0.063 inches when viewed in a cross section.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising, said pair of notches or grooves, said notches or grooves having two straight surfaces, a first surface and a second surface, said first surface intersecting said second surface at an angle of about 48.2 degrees, said first surface oriented parallel to said flat base, thereby producing a notch of about 0.0629 inches+/−0.04 inches wide at its widest distance, said first surface having length of approximately 0.063 inches when viewed as a cross section.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising, said grooves configured such that when said upper portion is removed, said lower portion has a height of 0.125 inches+/−0.040 inches. 